Timeless Pacific Coast Highway California

After a whistle stop tour of San Fran, off I drove down to Monterey and Carmel: gorgeous little quaint seaside towns that are well worth a visit and stop off on the journey South (or North, depending on where you're driving from!) About 15 minutes drive from Carmel town is Carmel Valley Ranch, a large luxury gated resort with suites looking out over the lush green valley and activities in abundance. They get incredibly busy during peak summer months with American families taking up the tennis, kids club, swimming pools, treks and other great activities all organised with families in mind. I loved the evening s'mores by the fire after dinner and the staff are great at getting the kids involved and letting parents have some down time. It's a fantastic option for couples or families making the drive down the coast and the perfect place to stop for a day or two.

Onwards the following day took me through Pismo Beach, Big Sur and eventually stopping in Santa Barbara at Four Seasons The Biltmore. For those used to holidaying in the States you will know that they are fascinated by the old buildings and architecture we have in the UK but this property has it's own heritage and has been converted into a stunning resort directly in front of Butterfly Beach. My room had a wrap around balcony looking right out to sea and over towards the beach club which is free for hotel guests to use. Cottages behind the main building are perfect for travelling families too with lots of private garden space, and some can connect with another room for an accompanying nanny if preferred. Santa Barbara town is a very short drive away and is genuinely one of the prettiest I have seen outside of Spain or Italy. It has Italian style architecture and bespoke little stores, plus great eateries as well as international department stores and I could have happily stayed another night or two.  

I would say unfortunately, I headed off the next day but the following morning took me on a coffee fuelled drive further down the coast to Santa Monica to stay at the infamous, Shutters on the Beach. The reputation of this hotel goes before it and as such, it's long been on my list of places to stay. Perfectly positioned on Santa Monica beach, just along from Pier 39 and boasting boardwalk cafes and restaurants. This hotel is grand and imposing, whilst being comforting and cosy on the inside. Rooms are designed with warmth and a “home from home” beach house vibe, with some looking directly out to see and others overlooking the sidewalks. Sun drenched days on the beach are followed by lively nights in Santa Monica and although it's a very short drive from LA, it's worth staying out on the beach for an alternative LA experience before heading downtown.

There are so many choices of hotels to choose from in LA itself that it can become confusing but if you are a first timer, Beverly Wilshire is a prime choice. The name is world renowned but they haven't rested on their laurels. Service, product and position is impeccable and although hotels of this calibre can be pretentious at times, Beverly Wilshire couldn't be friendlier or more welcoming. I have to be honest and say that other people had given me varying advice about LA: some loved the city and some would never go back. I genuinely think a lot of the opinion you have is due to where you stay. Don't go downtown in you're new to LA. As with any downtown, it can be intimidating. Hollywood, as glizty and exciting as it is, would also not be for me. You can go and visit during the day and spend hours watching the world go by, but you don't need to stay there. Beverly Wilshire is at the bottom of Rodeo Drive, walking distance to restaurants and cafes and accessible to the rest of the city too. LA is vast: you need a car or to take a tour so make sure you need to choose your base carefully. I personally loved LA, in fact it was one of the highlights of my trip. There is something special and exciting and I will definitely be going back.

After a couple of days exploring all that LA has to offer – including Rodeo Drive too many times to mention – I headed South once again via Newport Beach for a quick spot of lunch. There are so many great beaches within an hour of LA: Huntington, Laguna, Newport to name but a few, and all offer that chilled out American seaside vibe which is the perfect contrast after being in such a vast city. I wanted to end in San Diego but found an absolute gem of a resort about 30 mins before arriving in San Diego: Rancho Valencia.

Rancho Valencia is a sprawling gates resort in the hills just an hour's drive from the beaches in an area called Rancho Sante Fe. It has so much to offer, you could spend far more than the 2 nights that I did. First, it's an internationally renowned tennis resort. I did take a lesson, having never been a sports enthusiast and I even left the court thinking I could be a pro which is entirely down to the skills of the instructor, I have since discovered! The resort had been recently renovated when I visited, and by a designer who clearly loved the resort. The original casitas which spread throughout the resort (you really need a car or hire a buggy) haven't been altered so original red tinged brickwork with established gardens hide any evidence of renovation. Inside the casitas is another story. Every single mod con including state of the art coffee machines, fire places, surround sound TV's with DVDs, lighting...you name it, it's got it. The space is endless but the two real treats:

1. The outdoor garden complete with fire for your own private s'mores; plunge pool jacuzzi and yet more space, completely enclosed by the casita walls offering privacy and romance in abundance, and

2. The bathroom is out of this world. The size yet again impresses, with separate bath, separate walk in show, his and hers sinks and even then there is space to have a party in there! The real treat sounds ludicrous, but it's the toilet. I've never been excited about a toilet, I promise you this isn't a fetish. But when you walk in the cubicle and the seat goes up automatically, to have puffs of air freshener go off whilst sitting, and remote control options for oscillating, front, rear and even a drying option was just ridiculous. Did I mention the warmed seat?

The resort has stunning restaurants, a great bar for winding down in the evening and being just 30 mins outside of San Diego means the city is there if you want it.

At this point, I was certain the trip couldn't get any better, but when I jetted off from San Diego to Los Cabos a couple of days later, I discovered that there is another resort to love just as much.

Cabo has become a mecca for the stars and celebrities looking for some sun and is so easily combined with California. It has a taste of true Mexico, almost from a film set and of course with the influx of tourists are the vast choice of apartments and hotels to choose from. I discovered before heading out there that the Cabo Corridor is where most of the nightlife was found and as I was looking for more of a relaxing end to my holiday, I opted for Cabo San Lucas: slightly further south, perched on the tip of the Baja peninsula - Capella Pedregal.

Capella are becoming a world class brand of hotels worldwide for their service and “tailored” experience: no check in or check out times because your holiday should be on your time; a personal assistance contacts you two weeks prior to arrival to organise any last minute extras for your stay and of course the personal service from all staff that you would expect in any luxury hotel.

Driving just out of the town and heading towards a mountain side, you discover a lantern-lit tunnel etched out of the mountain with a view at the other end that could have been painted on: crystal blue water, clear blue skies and an attentive welcoming committee. This is the grand entrance to Capella Pedregal. Every single room is ocean facing and has an infinity plunge pool on the terrace looking straight out to see. During out winter months it's a prime location for whale watching and as such, binoculars or telescopes are provided in every room. Mexican appetisers are provided in the room on arrival with tortilla chips and dips, cerviche (delicious!) and of course, Mexican beer. A bottle of tequila is even provided in the room for your stay. I was incredibly lucky and upgraded on arrival to a two bedroom ocean view suite that had more space than I knew what to do with, infact I only used one wing; a large lap pool with access directly to the beach, 3 separate sun terraces and my own waiter who came from the main bar every half an hour to bring skewered fruit, nibbles and any drinks my heart desired.

For food lovers, cuisine is exquisite in all restaurants but noted in every good guide book worldwide, and rightly so, is El Farallon. Carved into the cliff and candle lit each evening; this is a sea food restaurant where you choose your fish and pay by weight, with a choice of starters and sides. Truly one of the most romantic settings I have ever seen and outside guests can book. In fact, even as a guest it's worth booking as it's so popular and you absolutely don't want to miss out!

The only down side was that I only had two nights before heading back to the airport and you could easily spend 7 nights or more in this heavenly retreat by the sea.

Whether you're going to California or any other major US city, Cabo is accessible by numerous flights so can easily be added on and offers an authentic alternative to the American beach resorts which can be very crowded, especially in summer months.

To book your own US self drive adventure, contact Kate via email on info@worldwidetravelsolutions.co.uk

Kate x